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Lucha Reyes: Peruvian music star

Lucha Reyes overcame poverty, terrible health problems and racism to become one of Peru鈥檚 greatest singers. In the early 1970s she recorded hits including Regresa and Tu Voz.

Lucha Reyes was one of Peru鈥檚 greatest singers. She was born into poverty in 1936 and fought terrible health problems and racism throughout her life. But it didn鈥檛 stop her becoming a star of Peruvian Creole music - a fusion of waltzes, Andean and Afro-Peruvian styles.

In the early 1970s she recorded hits including Regresa and Tu Voz. One of the few black Peruvian celebrities of her era, she was a trailblazer for black women in the country.

Polo Bances played the saxophone in her band, accompanying her on many of her greatest records. He celebrates her life with Ben Henderson.

(Photo: Lucha Reyes. Credit: Javier Ponce Gambirazio)

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9 minutes

Last on

Thu 8 Feb 2024 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 7 Feb 2024 08:50GMT
  • Wed 7 Feb 2024 12:50GMT
  • Wed 7 Feb 2024 18:50GMT
  • Wed 7 Feb 2024 23:50GMT
  • Thu 8 Feb 2024 03:50GMT

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